The warmest months of the year are approaching, and having an efficient, well-tuned air conditioning system is essential for maintaining comfort and efficiency in our homes and workplaces. As temperatures rise, the air conditioning system’s performance will be subjected to greater demands, placing greater strain on its components. For proper HVAC operation, it is highly recommended that an authorized technician inspect and clean the system. The frequency will depend on the installation location. However, in a home, it should be inspected at least twice a year, once before the summer season and once before the winter season. This will help ensure the system’s optimal performance and prevent future breakdowns or at least minimize the risk.

Although this setup and maintenance is recommended for any air conditioning system, we’ll focus on split-type air conditioning units. In most cases, the air conditioning units installed in homes are usually called split units; units whose components are divided into two units: indoor and outdoor.

Commissioning of an air conditioning system for refrigeration based on split-type air conditioning equipment

Visual inspection and cleaning of filters

The first step in setting up an air conditioner or cooling system is to clean the air filters. The unit’s indoor unit has a filter whose function is to improve air quality. Dirt in the air filters reduces airflow to the indoor unit’s coil, forcing the system to work harder and increasing energy consumption to cool the building.

Clean the components

Dust and debris can accumulate on the internal components of the outdoor unit, especially the coil, causing it to operate less efficiently and causing the electronic components to overheat. Cleaning the coil will help ensure it works properly. Another element to check is the condensate tray. It’s important to keep it clean so the drainpipe doesn’t become clogged and water can be evacuated properly.

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Measurement and performance

We can check that the performance is correct by measuring the temperature fluctuations in the return and supply air. These units are usually around 18°C. We won’t use pressure gauges if we see that the above is correct, since every time we puncture the core, a little gas escapes. We can even cause it to become stuck and lose the refrigerant completely.

The refrigerant fluid is the fluid inside the refrigeration circuit. To simplify its operation, its purpose is to cool or heat the coil through which an air flow will pass, with the intention of heating or cooling it depending on whether we have the air in cooling or heating mode, and for this air to cool or heat the room.

It is essential to check the equipment’s performance. If it is not correct, and if we haven’t detected anything during the visual inspection, we should check the pressure gauges to ensure that the operating pressures are correct.

Operation of thermostats and temperature adjustment

By correctly setting the thermostat temperature so that it’s neither too hot nor too cold, we’ll achieve comfort and well-being in our home, although the temperature sensation is a personal matter. Setting the temperature too high or too low (according to Rite, the correct temperature is 26ºC in summer and 21ºC in winter) will not only improve comfort, but also keep our electricity bills from skyrocketing.

Status of electrical connections

It’s also necessary to check the electrical connections to ensure everything is properly connected and that there are no signs of overheating in the electrical components and circuits. Overheating can be caused by a weak connection; retightening is quick and easy.

We should also check the electrical circuits and switches for signs of wear and replace them if necessary.

Air conditioning system maintenance

In addition to getting your air conditioning system ready before the summer season, it’s advisable to have it professionally serviced at least twice a year. A poorly maintained system will experience lower performance and require higher energy consumption to maintain desired comfort levels, decreasing its energy efficiency and lifespan.